The text of this alphabet book makes a nice birthday gift, but the wrappings—the exquisitely crafted illustrations—are even better. Twenty-six dandily dressed critters (there is no animal for X, but the Lion has a scion) proclaim birthday greetings to lucky readers. The accompanying verses by Metaxas sometimes clank and rattle, but almost always play second fiddle to the drawings. ``O is for Orangutan,/who from a limb is seen to hang'' is awkward, but the ape's picture is worth its weight in words. Raglin (Pecos Bill, Picture Book Studio, 1991) shows a British influence: his impish humor and unstuffy formality are reminiscent of Tenniel or Graeme Base, though he does not possess the dynamism found in the latter's popular works. Readers with a knack for history can entertain themselves by trying to figure out the historical periods of the animals' elegant costumes. This bunch is a treat to behold. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: March 1, 1995
ISBN: 0-671-88306-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1995
BOOK REVIEW
An anonymous character searches for a plot to flush out his personality, but finds little action within the confines of this book to justify his metafictional acrobatics. The Character, dressed in peppermint-striped socks, vest, and knickers, could be Jack, Hansel, or any other fairy-tale protagonist. He hangs out with monkeys, sings with dolphins, and plays the trombone, until he receives a letter from his aunt inviting him to come visit her book. He spends the rest of the time trying to figure out how to get out of his own book: going backwards doesn't work, nor does going to the top or bottom of the page. He runs, he bikes, he travels underground, until finally he jumps off the corner of the page. The finale is a letter (with photos) apprising readers of the grand time that the Character is having in his aunt's book. Through that conclusion, Zemach (The Beautiful Rat, 1979) makes it clear that any identity-forming adventures the Character might have are going to occur beyond their view. The Character's self-awareness is funny- -but only until readers find out that's all he has, and that they've been on a literary wild-goose chase. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: Feb. 28, 1998
ISBN: 0-06-205060-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 1997
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Although fine lines and a low contrast palette give Johnson's paintings a faded, smudgy look, he effectively captures the classic nursery rhyme's flavor, decking the matronly Mother Hubbard out in sweeping 19th-century gowns that are ruffled, fur- trimmed and elaborately accessorized, then dispatching her to a series of elegantly appointed shops and stalls for goods to lavish on her pampered canine. Johnson drops or rewrites several of the standard version's verses, and adds two of his own that permanently finish off said dog. The illustrations are skillfully rendered, but his interpretations are so free that young readers will search in vain for details such as the tripe, the coat, the linen, the hose, and even the bare cupboard that sparks Mother Hubbard's chain of errands; the visual humor, next to James Marshall's sly, silly take in Old Mother Hubbard and Her Wonderful Dog (1991), is decidedly mild. Notwithstanding Johnson's strong stylistic ties to illustrators such as Randolph Caldecott and E. Boyd Smith, adults are the likeliest audience for this volume. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: April 1, 1998
ISBN: 0-689-81485-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 1998
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